Stephens Square in Binghamton to House 102 Students

The historic Stephens Square building in downtown Binghamton will soon be converted into student housing.

The five-story structure at 81 State Street was built in 1888. The property was acquired by BuBeds LLC for $2.3 million last March.

Plans for the site call for 24 units with a total of 102 bedrooms on the upper floors of the building.

James Slocum in his Stephens Square office on October 15, 2018. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Owner James Slocum said he had been considering the project for several years. He said renovation work on the second and third floors have been underway for the last few months.

The original plan for the project is being modified to include a social area in the basement level for building residents. Slocum said that area could include televisions, pool tables, workout machines and other amenities.

Slocum said the first 50 bedrooms should be ready by the end of the year. Work on the two top floors then is expected to be completed in the coming year.

Slocum said some leases for the first units already are in place.

Most of the upper floors of Stephens Square had been occupied by offices in recent years.

Renovation work is continuing for the student housing project at in the Stephens Square building. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)